In his "Producer's Note" in the beautiful book that is part of the box, Lemieux, who attended the first 10 shows on the tour, states, "To my ears this was the last tour that was consistently great, where every show is excellent, not a dud in the bunch." And Grateful Dead historian Dennis McNally's comprehensive and informative insider's essay in the box is titled "The Last Great Dead Tour." These guys know what they're talking about.

Basically, the band had been on an upward trajectory since Garcia's return to the road in the spring of '87, following his near-death the previous summer. Of course, 1987 was a trip in itself, what with the unexpected mega-success of In the Dark and their first hit single, "Touch of Grey." But the momentum just kept building with each subsequent tour, as Garcia got back up to full speed (and then some!) and the group as a whole was as unified as they had ever been since Brent joined the band in the spring of '79. New original tunes were popping up and the old favorites were imbued with a freshness and spirit that was so uplifting and inspiring. The band was having fun again, and it was downright infectious.

The group's fall 1989 shows-as documented two years ago on the Formerly the Warlocks box (two shows from Hampton, VA, 10/8-9/89) and on the 2001 release Nightfall of Diamonds (a single night in NJ, 10/16/89)- kicked the energy level up another couple of notches, as the band reintroduced such loved classics as "Help on the Way" > "Slipknot!," "Attics of My Life," "Death Don't Have No Mercy" and "Dark Star."

And when the band hit the road in mid-March 1990, they had a bunch of other cool tunes to lay on their unsuspecting crowds, including the return of "Loose Lucy" (last played in 1974; it's not on this box), Brent's "Easy to Love You" (missing since 1980), a rollicking cover of the Rolling Stones' "The Last Time," The Band's "The Weight" (with all four singers taking a verse each) and a lyrically retooled "Black-Throated Wind" (absent since 1974), which elicited huge cheers every time it was played.

Over these six shows, most of the cornerstones of the Dead's repertoire from the era appear-splendid versions of "Scarlet Begonias" > "Fire on the Mountain," "China Cat Sunflower" > "I Know You Rider," "Playing in the Band," "Uncle John's Band," "Eyes of the World," "Estimated Prophet," "Truckin'," "Sugar Magnolia," "The Other One," "Terrapin," "Stella Blue," "Feel Like a Stranger," "Bird Song," "Let It Grow," "China Doll," "Box of Rain," "Morning Dew"; you name it. From the fall '89 breakouts come "Help-Slip-Frank," "Attics of My Life" and "Death Don't Have No Mercy." Among the still newish tunes are "Picasso Moon," "Blow Away," "Foolish Heart," "Just a Little Light," "Victim or the Crime," "Standing on the Moon," "We Can Run" and a couple that would get their final plays from the Grateful Dead on this tour-"Built to Last" and "Believe It or Not." There are stirring renditions of "Dear Mr. Fantasy" and "Black Muddy River," rockin' takes on "Gimme Some Lovin'" and "Iko Iko" and the only version of the full "Hey Jude" the band attempted in the modern era. And the "Rhythm Devils" and "Space" jams at the heart of each second set are as noisy-beautiful-scary-funny-intense-mysterious-wild as you'd expect/hope for.

Of course, we understand that some of you may have other favorite shows from this tour you wish were included on this box. Really, you can't go wrong with any of them. But at 18 discs, this is still the second largest Grateful Dead box (after Europe '72: The Complete Recordings) that's been released, and the non-inclusion of any other shows from the tour definitely does not preclude their future release! But this seemed like a more manageable way to go, while still giving a sense of the tour's amazing depth and breadth.

Besides the discs themselves, Grateful Dead: Spring 1990 has much to offer, including: a gorgeous 60-page hardcover book containing copious color photos by Jim Anderson and Michael Laurentus, unique artwork by Brooklyn-based fine artist Wes Lang, fascinating business letters and communications related to the tour, a detailed historical essay by Dennis McNally, a Producer's Note by David Lemieux and individual show descriptions by Blair Jackson; a reproduction of the Dead's 1990 tour program (printed and sold later in '90, for the fall and Europe '90 tours); tickets and backstage passes of all six shows; a band publicity photo from 1990 by Ken Friedman; Dennis McNally's tour laminate; and reproductions of the colored 8x10 sheets GDTS sent out with hotel, food and other information for each city on the tour.

With recordings made by longtime Grateful Dead recordist and producer John Cutler, mastered by Jeffrey Norman in HDCD, you just know it's gonna sound great-and it does!

So, that's the skinny this time 'round. This box is limited to just 9,000 numbered copies - please note, this is the only time these shows will ever be officially available on CD. There will not be an All Music Edition and single shows will not be available physically. Due to ship out August 31st, we anticipate that this extraordinary set will sell-out, so order your copy today!

If you're looking for more of a bite-sized taste of the '90s, Spring 1990: So Glad You Made It, a 2-CD set featuring a handful of favorites, will be in stores on September 18th.

Disc 1
1. Feel Like A Stranger [8:12]
2. West L. A. Fadeaway [7:41]
3. Easy To Love You [6:14]
4. Beat It On Down The Line [3:34]
5. It Must Have Been The Roses [6:29]
6. The Last Time [5:40]
7. Picasso Moon [7:07]
8. Don't Ease Me In [3:30]

PEOPLE< PEOPLE< PEOPLE
i am not dissing anybody or any era! i am just saying its not my favorite time! i still am going to all the shows i can. no matter the configuration Weir solo, Furthur, 7 Walkers, or Mickey Hart Band where else can you get what we all seek!
As far as my comment "Mickey left the ranch" that was all GOOD! i think he was the "blistering" one during these shows and you can clearly hear him evolving into a new "space" with his drumming while still "jamming" ( Whatever that means!) i am really digging his recent shows!
Hope to see you all in Philly next week @ Weir solo and MHB shows!

Yes indeed, brother, God Bless the Grateful Dead. I am, like you, lovin' this release. I agree that this was a NEW special time in their storied career as transportational musicians. May Brent and Jerry rest in peace.

I've never felt more like GD customer service has no clue what's going on as I do with this bunch.
I ordered the set early, wanted to change my payment method, but I had to cancel and reorder. After receiving confirmation that the first order was cancelled, I got a shipping notice for that very order. When I called customer service, I was told that indeed the order was cancelled, but it was too late. I was then told I could return the set on my dime. When I contested that I should have to pay return shipping, u was put on hold. When "Lingerie" (I swear that's what he said his name was) came back, his story changed to no record of me trying to cancel. When I pointed out the obvious dubiousness of his story change, he suddenly realized his mistake and discovered that I had cancelled, but stuck to me having to pay for return shipping. I asked for a supervisor and was told I would be called back. Lingerie also took the path if asking personal questions such as why I wanted to change my payment method, in a somewhat hostile and confrontational tone. One answer, Lingerie, none of your god**am business!!!
In the meantime, I took a second loom at the FAQ page on the website and saw where unopened items could be returned at no shipping expense to the customer. I called back as if the original conversation never happened, told the new rep I would like to return ny unopened item, and he emailed a shipping label. I am still waiting for the refund, so hopefully this is the end of this horrible customer service tale.

All of this absolutely stupid comparisons over eras only shows the ignorance of those doing it. To insult any given line up of the Grateful Dead only reflects poorly on the person doing it and is really another way of saying they are mired in a past that never really was. I saw shows off and on ranging from 5/17/77 to 5/26/93, and each "era" has its pros and cons. 77 had supremely tight playing and Keith's "on-the-one" piano (to borrow a phrase from James Brown), but it also had Donna's singing which, to me, sometimes sounding like a tortured lamb having its organs removed via vivisection. Horrendous. But it was still the good ol' Grateful Dead, and I wouldn't have turned down any show along the way. When Brent came in, I thought--and still do--that he was one of the strongest contributors and players in the band. Nothing... nothing... sounds as good to me as those acoustic sets in autumn 80. 85-86 was touch and go, but when the boys were on, they were hot. By 88-90, they had new material, a new lease of Dead life, and--in their own words--felt they had never been playing as good as they did between winter 88 and summer 90. Brent's songs in this era spoke to my heart and soul more than anything else I'd heard from them. Throughout spring of 90, I heard more people talking about how each show was just getting better. I also kept hearing--as I did throughout the 80s-- "older" heads badmouth Brent and spill nostalgia for by-gone days. But I saw those same complainers at show after show. When I saw sets with Vince, I wasn't impressed with him so much, but he was who the Dead chose to play and so I knew there was something about him that no one outside of Bruce H. had. My final show had the most amazing PITB I'd ever heard and that's not a tune I ever hoped for... it got tedious to me. But again, I wouldn't have had it any other way (except to have Brent not feel he needed an early exit from the show).

To badmouth Spring 90 with such condescending words and evident attitude is telling Jerry and Bob and Phil that they sucked for not sticking around in the same ol' mud for another decade to please someone who had no concept of musical growth. It's just the same as someone saying there was no good music since 197-whatever. Which is BS in the extreme. If anyone wants to wallow in their nostalgic trip of 1968 Carousel Ballroom, or Europe 72, or Spring 77, or whenever, feel free. Enjoy. I love those shows too (as almost anyone here might or might not). But to think you're better or more of a Deadhead than those of us who also appreciate late 80s or even the 90s shows, you'd be laughed at by Jerry. Like once in the lot during the mid-80s when folks were one-upping each other over how many shows they saw (as if quantity made them more of a fan), Jerry wandered by and commented that when they played Egypt, there was a couple who mortgage their house to fly to Cairo to see them.

If you don’t like a particular era… great. But you ain’t any better than someone else by badmouthing a band that chose to evolve musically as they spanned a 30 year musical career.

Just seems odd to me that folks can be so picky about which GD era is the best, what music is great, what sucks, etc. Perhaps some of us have lost sight of the big picture.

I think my brother summed it up best when we celebrated his 60th birthday not too long ago. When asked to reflect on his time spent on this planet thus far, he acknowledged the love of family and friends, his gratitude for good health, and so on. All the things one might expect to hear on such an occasion. Then he added:

"I'm also blessed to have been alive during the time of the Grateful Dead."

GD X17- I love that analogy! I feel exactly the same way. I can't imagine comparing anything from the late Brent era to any 60's, 70's Dead. But I'm enjoying this set and discovering this era I've ignored for so long. I find the negative comments refreshing. No other era so deeply divides Deadheads, eh? A problematic, enigmatic era- fascinating! Now back to listening.

...Through and through.
Jerry and Brent are the highlights and shortly thereafter, they were gone.
First set nuggets aplenty, and just about every song you would want.
Drums Space are excellent and different every night.
Goodness gracious God bless the Grateful Dead!

Good, bad, ugly -- this forum has it all, and why not? I'm with other posters who have had difficulty buying what the 1990 version of the band was selling. Still, this box is surprising to me. I can't let myself even think of this as the same band I loved in the 70s. It is like a parallel universe where some other band much less edgy and much more in the yacht rock vein takes the place of the Grateful Dead. I call them GD X-17, from planet Crisscross. They play MIDIfied Grateful Dead covers and some newer Loggins & Messina outtakes. Yet somehow there is an electricity that can't quite be denied. There is something in their DNA that evokes wonder and groovitude. The beautiful thing is that you can't define it. Just turn up the volume and it will grab you. I'm not kidding. I had big doubts about the audio quality but this really puts you in the venue instead of in the soundboard. Try it. I think 3/16/90 is my favorite first set ever.

"Honestly? Yes. I'm the best at what I do of anyone I've ever met in my field."

That explains a lot.

P.S. I'm not sure why, when someone points out the banality of another's criticism, that the person pointing out the offending comment is somehow "cultic" (wherever that word came from) in their honest evaluation of Dead music.

I'm happy to hear criticism of the Dead, when it means something, and when it makes sense. I do it myself. Sure, sometimes the Dead sucked. But just because someone doesn't like Mickey or doesn't like Bob's vocals doesn't amount to coherent or meaningful insight into the music.

"Commenters often speculate that our discs have been delayed due to people smoking the Good Stuff. I fear that it may be us, the customers of these products, that are high. And when we come down, we ask what this shitty Music is.
It breaks my heart."

Not clear what is breaking your heart. Your post is not clear.

But I can say that I was joking about "smoking the good stuff" and I haven't been high on drugs for about 30 years. I like the Dead without drugs. But I can be critical of them when they aren't playing at their best. I'm not cultic about them. They are the best at some times and quite bad at others. Jerry spoke about this range many many years ago. He recognized that they sucked sometimes. Can you?

May have set in for me. Once I would have spoken to Ruby at GDTS to ask about my mail-order (and gotten Satisfaction). Today I discovered that I have held on to the fond memories when they have really gone the way of others I held dear.

I wanted to believe that someone in Marin County was checking to see why I hadn't gotten my DP3 order. They told me they were, and they usually came through. If a show was sold out, I believed them and mailed even earlier next time.

My experience today took awhile to sink in. I knew Spring '90 had started shipping. And that I should have been among the first to receive it due to my choosing Express shipping. So I trusted that there was a mitigating Circumstance when it never showed. GD had always delivered in the end.

But I just received my DP3 shipment Friday after getting shipping notice on July 31st. I emailed, called, and waited patiently through multiple explanations and trusted that all would be well. And like always, it was in the end.

Today though was different. After repeated efforts to find my Spring '90 box set, it became clear that the Customer Service number/email address has nothing to do with customer service. They are a call center in Georgia handling calls for Rhino. They have no idea what is going on with delivery of DP 3 or Spring '90, nor even what those things are. They are there to verify that we have an order in and to try via dissembling to get us to think our orders are On The Way. Or have been delayed by techical issues. Or were lost by the Post Office but were going to be reissued by Rhino in spite of being Limited Editions.

Commenters often speculate that our discs have been delayed due to people smoking the Good Stuff. I fear that it may be us, the customers of these products, that are high. And when we come down, we ask what this shitty Music is.

with comment forums like this is...too many armchair experts and self-appointed arbiters of taste.

I can empathize and understand commenters who post about shipping/product issues--that's fine, since there doesn't seem to be another forum for that.

But people who have nothing more constructive to say than "Mickey has left the ranch" or helpful to add than complaints about Bob's vocals beg the question: are you that good at whatever it is you do for a living? I mean, let's be honest.

O.k., you like other years. Fine. But being condescendingly dismissive about a particular year or tour that many people happen to really dig: what's the point? At least offer some genuinely insightful comments.

Maybe this Grateful Dead is "bland," or has "left the ranch," as you say. Or maybe they're the best goddamned band that took the stage every single night they played during this spring tour of the year 1990. Depends on how you look at it.

Disc 3 of 3-16-90 was cracked. Called customer service, they ordered me a new one. they have no idea when it will be shipped, since they didn't expect these cracked disc complaints. They said just wait for an e-mail. Never had a cracked disc problem before, it takes a lot to crack them, they're pretty sturdy......

There was quite a bit of discussion early on about using John Cutler's live 2-track recordings. A lot of people were disappointed, perhaps fearing that the result would sound like Terrapin Limited - two dimensional, with the vocals and instruments poorly separated and smashed up to the front of the sound stage, and sounding nothing like any show I ever went to. This set however, sounds identical to Without A Net, which was made from the 24-track recordings, and is the best representation of how every show I ever went to sounded - a wonderful, deep, detailed, three dimensional sound stage. David Lemieux has stated that Spring 1990 is from the 2-track live mix. Did somebody use a magic wand that we don't know about?

So far, I am blown away by how good these shows sound. If I close my eyes, Id swear I was there. Thank you David Lemieux and everyone else who made this possible. I have been wondering why nobody has said much about the "Terrapin Station 3/15/90" (Phils 50th B-day) release from the same tour. That show is really good too but the sound of this box set sounds much better.

So, a co-worker and I both ordered our own sets at the same time, late Friday evening. I selected the Rush (3-7 day) shipping and he selected Standard. We were both notified very early Tuesday morning that it had shipped. Both sets were shipped out of Louisville, KY. And we both got the set today. I mean, what gives? Why pay for the extra shipping when you get the same service as Standard?

Ordered on 8-1. Added Express Shipping ($37.00) due to bad experience with DavePick3.

No sign of it. Emailed support yesterday, no response today. Called support this morning and was told it was shipped but she couldn't tell me when because the order information didn't upload (?).

Checked online, status In Progress. Called support again, different person told me it hadn't shipped yet but couldn't say why due to Technical Difficulties™. She suggested I wait to hear from them on when it would be shipped out Express.

Just browsing through the various posts... lots of complaints. Everyone has their favorite era I guess.

I got my set yesterday... shipped to Canada... somehow there was no duty applied. I'll take that as Karma working it's way out, as I have been charged duty so far on every Dave's Picks... have been charged duty of the sum value of the subscription cost on every single disk shipment.... somewhat of a drag, but it all evens out with the $40 duty saved on the box.

I think this box is incredible. I like all the trinkets... I'll frame the replica tickets and backstage passes and put them in a shadow box beside the shadow box with all my real tickets. The books are wonderful. And for my money the music is sublime. Not that I don't have my little gripes... I find the Black Throated Wind from 3/16 unlistenable... the revised Bobby lyrics just kill it for me. Given that it's one of my favourite Bobby tunes, I'm glad that he came to his senses and restored the lyrics to their original brilliance.

I love late Brent era (87-90) Dead. I think what we are hearing in these shows is a more mature, sophisticated band. I was at 5 of the shows on this run (Hamilton and Atlanta) and these recordings do justice to my memories and then some.

You could dispute it with your credit card company.
Or sell the set as a whole - why break it up? You can sell it on Amazon or ebay and I bet easily recoup not only the money for one set but make a profit!

I wish this comment forum was better. Like almost all discussion forums in the world, it would be nice if when replying to a post the reply would be part of that post instead of merely a brand new post. How absurd!

Also, it would be nice to have the option (again which almost all boards in the world have except here) to have an email notification when ones post is replied to.

Come on Dead techies!

Anyway, I'm glad THE-11 said it before me. I wanted to say it but on this board it's kind of cultic and a "no-no" to criticize the Dead. So I will second the motion that this isn't the great tour it's touted to be. I think it is so highly touted for one reason: it's a heck of a lot better than the '80's, which isn't saying much. So they came up a notch.
I'm not saying I think it's crap. I enjoy parts of it. But it's not even in the same ball park as anything from 1965-1979. Not even close.

And Bob Weir? I have to admit I hate his later years vocals. He is so damn affecting (pretend to feel something) in his voice it drives me crazy! After so many years he never found his true voice. But he had it in the '70's. I guess he just didn't know it and wanted to make it different for some reason. All the so-called "emotion" he puts into his voice sounds totally phony to me. And how many songs can he do that stupid "y'all" thing in? He ruins The Other One with that crap.
Sheesh, Bob, just SING! Quit trying to sound like something you are not. You have a fine voice but ruin it when you try to hard to make it cool.

Oh, and Brent could have left Dear Mr. Fantasy and Hey Jude alone. Terrible versions! I

So there. Dead Heads who don't like it when people criticize their beloved idols, fire away! LOL!

Got mine and listened all thru. It struck me how mundane the band and the shows had gotten. i read all the PR stuff about the "last great tour" and "blistering" solo performances but i just dont hear it.This issue just doesnt stand up to earlier years Dick's Picks and tapes. it obvious Mickey has already left the ranch and i better understand band member comments wondering if Jerry would still be in the band or the band would be together much longer. i do agree the weather was crappy on this tour, maybe its all in my mind......
This one will mostly sit on the shelf.

when the other music today was on, they made me order twice buffalo 89 and a dix pix 36 saying they couldn't be ordered together, then they sent me two parcels with the same stuff, needless to say i I never had my money back, said the thread with their online customer service operator didn't exist, it was not existing but had two copies more which ended up as Xmas gifts, that's when I began to lose faith!

After ordering the set I lost my credit card and was forced to cancel the account. I called up and asked to change the card number on the order. For some reason this was impossible and tlhey told me I had to cancel the original order and create a new one. Obviously this was going to end badly. On Saturday I recievecd two sets intead of one. I Immediatly called up and spoke to someone who said the first order had been cancelled, but it shipped anyway. She sent me a shipping label and I planned to drop it off at the post office on Saturday. Today they charged my account for the second set and I immediatley called up. This time they denied having any record of the first set being cancelled and when I asked to speak to a supervisor I was put on infinite hold. Isn't that special. Now I am at at a loss. Do I call again and try to straighten it out? Do I ship the second set back and hope they credit my account? Or do I break up the second set and sell it disk by disk in order to recoup my money?

Ordered my Box Set last week and it arrived on my doorstep Saturday afternoon. BAM!
The packaging and the details are fantastic right down to the shipping box! (saved it for my garage gallery)
I've been playing the discs sequentially (so far) building up anticipation to the Hamilton shows I was able to attend......The sound and playing is incredible all around, really takes me back in a great way. "sigh"

I got mine here in CA a few days ago, and so far it has not disappointed. The quality is amazing, the band is tight, and the energy is high. Just what you would expect. If your ears could get a BJ, this is what it would feel like.....

The online check says , still processing. I finally got through by phone and they told me mine won't be shipped until 8/31. How nice I ordered it 8/1 and live in WA state. seems the northwest is LAST as usual.

It costs what it costs, and I happily paid. Spring 1990 sounds wonderful and I appreciate the quality of the box. I also dislike the new lyrics for Black-Throated Wind.

I'm pointing out that 89/90s box sets command a premium per hour of music even though the recordings are pretty much ready to release, as the Cutler live mixes prove (based on comments from DL2). Both Winterland boxes, containing significantly longer shows, went through the presumably more expensive Plangent Process. And then you have Europe 72, 71 hours re-mixed from the 16-track recordings and yet costs less than half per hour as Spring 1990.

You would think it costs less to produce a practically-ready-to-go 2 1/2 hour recording than it would a 3 1/2 hour recording from 35-40 years ago.

I think every period/era of the Dead has pluses that make me want to listen and this late period Dead is no exception. Keep the releases coming-I must say that I haven't been disappointed with any of them other than some of the Road Trips that have terrible sound in my opinion(some not all) with the cardboard drums that drive me crazy. I am still happy to have them however because they are better than low bit rate digital crap and the music will tend to transcend the recording limitations generally. Thank you David, et al for this fine release.

People who whine about modern Dead, and insist they should only release '60s and 70s Dead are like the old farts who used to insist that the NFL started to suck once Johnny Unitas hung up his cleats, and this new football sucks...

Yeah, we know there was more jammin' during '69 and '70 & Europe '72. It's not like you need to tell us! People who can't judge eras of an amazing band (or anything else for that matter) in the context of their times are really freakin' annoying! If you don't like the modern stuff-don't buy it, but don't bitch that it's being released in first place, as if its some imposition upon you!

I hope 3/28, 3/29 and 3/14 all see the light of day as well in future. Can't speak for 3/18 Hartford, or 3/21, or 3/25 Albany. This tour was simply RIPPIN', where every show is at least very very good. No, it's not Europe or fall '72, but that ain't the point. It's a completely jammin' modern Dead, of which there has been very little released, all things considered.

Ordered some Bonnie Raitt from North Carolina US to Helsinki Finland 8/21/2012. Got shipping notice with tracking number 8/22/2012. It arrived today 8/29/2012. Shipping cost for one cd and one dvd $7,40.

Daves Picks 3 (subcribe) not a clue where it is.

Spring 90 got a t-shirt a week ago and shipping notice for that today. Rest of the order not a clue. My order status says the poster is coming later. It doesn't say anything about the box itself. So I dont know if its coming or not.

Well it has been like this with Deadnetstore for a long time now. Almost always there is some kind of problem. I have accepted this as a part of collecting this music. I dont even expect ordered items to arrive in a reasonable time. I do hope I get the 90-box. According to order status it is not coming at all. However I have a order confirmation dated 8/1/2012. Some time before christmas would be nice.

Another thing are shipping cost to Europe (anyway). They are often very high if compared to other sellers (ebay, Amazon, Raitt)

Well this was my annual whining session. I ll be back some time next year. Be good everyone out there.

looks nice...btw....working through the spring box set. made it through copps. Drumz/Space awesome as usual. Crank It Folks!!! I think I knocked some siding off the house playing this box set. The post space portion of Copps is spectacular. The first verse of Hey Jude is rough, granted, but after the 3: 00 mark, it gets very satisfying. Amazing how good the first sets of this tour are. Lemieux was right. The "small" songs are almost better than the continuous second sets are. Although, Drumz/Space are still mind-blowing. Ahhhhhh.....the memories. Sorry, shedding a tear there...God Bless everyone. Enjoy the fruits of the Grateful Dead. Like a fine wine, they get better with age.

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